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Aviation: Illegal Radio Stations

Answer

The information requested falls within the responsibilities of the Office of Communications (Ofcom), and I have received the following information from Ed Richards, the chief executive: Ofcom has a dedicated staff of 70 field officers who investigate and take illegal broadcasters off the air. In 2006, Ofcom undertook 1,085 separate operations against illegal broadcasters. This included seizing transmitters, disconnecting transmitters and aerials, and raids on illegal broadcasters’ studios. Enforcement is also targeted against owners of premises, advertisers, nightclub events and suppliers of equipment or other services to the illegal station. Ofcom uses specialist solicitors and barristers to secure court convictions against illegal broadcasters. Almost all prosecution cases have resulted in a court appearance for the offenders. In 2006, some 63 people were convicted. Ofcom's work in tackling the problem of illegal broadcasting is carried out in partnership with other organisations, notably local authorities and the police. Due to the potential threat of violence from illegal broadcasters, Ofcom's field officers seek support from local police officers while conducting work in the field. Where illegal broadcasters are found on site, they are arrested and taken to the local police station for interview. In the majority of cases, this results in the broadcaster being summoned to court to face charges regarding their criminal activities. In July 2005, Ofcom staff were contacted by the National Air Traffic Service (NATS), which was experiencing extreme interference to aircraft frequencies, in use, on approach to London. A second complaint received from Air Traffic Control (ATC) at London City Airport, highlighted its difficulties further, when it suggested that it would have to close the airport if the interference became more severe. Passion FM, an illegal broadcaster based in east London, was found to be causing the problem and was removed from the airwaves by Ofcom's investigation staff later the same day.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

3879; 693 c3-4WA

Session

2006-07

Subjects

Aviation Air traffic control Enforcement Radio frequencies Illegal broadcasting

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk